ing a grove of magnificent trees their resting-place,
and then on again for two more days, their progress being of course slow
in this roadless land. Everything about them was lovely, and the
journey was glorious, becoming more and more like a pleasure excursion
every day as they grew more used to the life. The girls were in robust
health, the boys full of excitement, and not a single black was met.

It was toward the close of the third day since Shanter had been
dismissed, and they were still journeying on over the plain toward a
range of mountains far away in the west, for there the captain was under
the impression that he would find the tract of land he sought.

As before, they had marked down a clump of trees for their
resting-place, and this they reached, just as the golden sun was sinking
in a bank of glorious clouds. Here all was peaceful; water was at hand,
and the bread brought from the settlement being exhausted, the flour-tub
was brought out of the wagon, and Aunt Georgie proceeded to make the
cake to bake for their meal--the damper of the colonists--a good fire
being soon started by the boys, while the men quickly rigged up the
tent.

This done, Sam German came up to the boys and took off his hat and
scratched his head, looking from one to the other.

"What's the matter, Sam?" said Norman.

"In trouble, sir."

"What is it?"

"That there little ord'nary heifer as master brought out."

"What the red and white Alderney?" said Rifle.

"No, sir; that there one like a tame rat."

"What the mouse colour?"

"Yes, sir."

"Has she been eating some poisonous weed?"

"I dunno, sir."

"Well; is she ill?" said Rifle.

"Dunno that nayther, sir. She's gone."

"Gone?" cried Tim. "Ida's favourite?"

"Yes, sir. Gone she is. I can't mind o' seeing her for a long time."

"Then you've lost her?" cried Norman angrily. "Now, don't you be too
hard on a man, Master Norman, because I ain't the only one as druv the
cattle. Mr Munday Bedford's had a good many turns, and so has master,
and you young gents druv 'em twiced--"

"Hi! German," shouted the captain just then. "I can't see the
mouse-coloured heifer;" and he came toward them with Ida, who had been
looking for her pet. "Where is she?"

"That's what I was talking to the young gents about, sir. I can't find
her nowhere."

"Not find her?" cried the captain angrily. "I wouldn't lose that animal
for fifty pounds. She is so choice bred. Well,